Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is unlikely to open in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The first T20I in Auckland will be played on January 12, kicking off a five-match series. Pakistan are likely to play 16 T20Is in the run-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to introduce a new opening combination for the team in the first T20I. Saim Ayub will open the batting alongside Mohammad Rizwan. Mohammad Hafeez had reportedly taken the order from Zaka Ashraf and told Mohammad Rizwan that he would not open the innings in T20Is. However, Rizwan managed to convince Hafeez to allow him to open in T20Is.
Next, Babar Azam will bat at number three followed by Fakhar Zaman at number four. As of now, Azam Khan is seen as the number five option, followed by Iftikhar Ahmed at number six. However, that could change depending on the match situation. Aamer Jamal, who batted brilliantly in the final Test against Australia, could bat at seven, followed by the four specialist bowlers to complete the line-up.
The PCB wanted Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub to open the innings in the T20I series in New Zealand. It was decided to change the partnership of Babar Azam and M Rizwan due to low strike rate but now Rizwan is likely to keep his place as opener ✅
– via Qadir Khawaja/Ejaz Bakhri #NZvsPAK
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 9, 2024
Curiously, Mohamed Rizwan he was chosen as vice-captain for this T20I series against New Zealand with Shaheen Afridi at the helm. Pakistan’s poor performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 made the PCB administration go through some changes.
Babar Azam unlikely to open for Pakistan in T20Is
Babar Azam will no longer open the batting for Pakistan. The team management has told him that he would bat in the order, while Mohammad Rizwan will open the batting with Saim Ayub in T20I against New Zealand ✅
– via Ejaz Bakhri #NZvsPAK
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 9, 2024
Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan’s captain in all formats after the World Cup. Pakistan’s performance in the tournament was reviewed by the PCB and then it decided to change the entire administrative and coaching setup.
The PCB also changed: Mohammad Hafeez took over as team manager from Mickey Arthur and former cricketer Wahab Riaz was named the new chief selector of the PCB. Shaheen Afridi is the new T20I skipper and will lead his team for the first time in T20Is.
Also Read: NZ vs PAK: Abrar Ahmed ruled out of New Zealand T20I series
After Pakistan’s loss in the Test series to Australia, Hafeez, the director of Pakistan Cricket, spoke about an exchange program between the two nations. He talked about the different teams of the men’s and women’s national teams that visit each other in practice matches to adapt to the playing conditions.
“We had a meeting with Charman and the CEO of Cricket Australia and they agreed on an exchange program because we wanted to have more visiting teams of Pakistan U19, Pakistan A, Pakistan women’s team on a regular basis and vice versa. That will help both teams in the future and you will see that the documents will be signed very soon.” Hafeez said.
“The aim is for us to come here regularly and for them to come to Pakistan regularly to develop the game in both countries. Because we need to practice more in these conditions and they need more practice in Asian conditions. “This is a good time for both the wild boars who want to work together to achieve the right vision.” he further added.
Pakistan T20I Team for New Zealand T20Is: Shaheen Afridi (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed (retd), Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Also Read: PAK vs NZ: Watch – Babar Azam hits Saeed Ajmal in the nets; The video goes viral
